Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 85

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Pennsylvania > Lawrence County > New Castle > Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th > Part 85

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On May 27, 1866, Mr. McChesney was united in marriage with Rhoda Douthitt, who died December 11, 1896. They had fourteen children: Karl E., who married Mary Cook; Sarah M., wife of J. C. Les- lie; Elizabeth May, wife of Dr. C. M. Ad- ams; Ellen Maude, wife of D. F. Kyle; Dessie M., wife of J. G. Leslie; Samuel G., Robert S., Rhoda Isabella, who died young ; Susanna, Harriet Jane, Levi D., Chester H., Thomas James, and one who died in infancy. Politically, Mr. McChesney is a Republican and has served as justice of the peace, also filling other township offices in a creditable manner. Religiously, he has been active in the workings of the Re- formed Presbyterian Church, of which he is now serving as trustee.

ENOCH THOMAS RIDLEY HOLT, su- perintendent of the Garlock Packing Com- pany, at Ellwood City, and also proprietor of the Library Inn, of this city, was born at Mckeesport, Pa., December 21, 1867, and is a son of Enoch Thomas and Sarah Ann ( Winders) Holt.

The father of Mr. Holt was a native of Baltimore, Md. He died at Mckeesport, Pa., in 1893, aged sixty-four years, of a stroke of paralysis. which attacked him while he was at work at the plant of the National Tube Company. By trade, he was a machinist, and an expert worker, and he built the first and last locomotive that was ever built in that place. His widow, now in her seventy-sixth year, survives. Their family contained four sons and four daughters, namely: Joseph, who died young ; Alice Ann, who is the wife of Capt. O. C. Coon, of Mckeesport ; Nannie F., who is the wife of James B. Gilinan, of McKees- port; Marion Woodall, who is the wife

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of Robert W. Warden, of Sandusky, Ohio; Oliver J., who is engaged at Mckeesport as a machinist, married Emma Cummings ; Enoch T. R., of Ellwood City; Rachel M., who is the wife of Murray M. Henry, of Ellwood City, and B. L., who died March 19, 1906, married Erda L. Rhodes.

After completing the public school course at Mckeesport, Mr. Holt learned the machinist's trade with the National Tube Company, but before he had finished his apprenticeship, he was placed in charge of workmen, and has been practically a foreman almost since the time he entered the works. Mr. Holt came to Ellwood City when the Pitt Company was organ- ized, and has been with the concern in its changes for six years, being the only mem- ber of the old company that remains. He has filled the office of superintendent for a long period, and since September. 1907, he has been general superintendent.

The Garlock Packing Company, of Ell- wood City, was organized by Pittsburg capitalists as the Pitt Manufacturing Com- pany, and in 1905 was leased by the Gar- lock Manufacturing Company, having been in existence since 1887. In the former year the business was incorporated by the Gar- lock Company. The offices are: Oliver J. Garlock, president; F. W. Griffith, vice- president and treasurer, and J. H. L. Gala- gher, secretary. The general office and factory are located at Elmira, N. Y. The company are patentees and sole manu- facturers of the Garlock Fibrous and Pitt Metal Packing. The product is used for steam, water, ammonia and gas jets. A force of fifty-two men is employed at Ellwood City, while the com- pany maintains factories in the following other cities: Baltimore, Md .; Birming- ham. Ala .; Boston, Mass .; Buffalo, N. Y .; Chicago, Ill .; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Denver, Colo .; Detroit, Mich .; Kan- sas City, Mo .; New Orleans, La. ; New York City ; Norfolk, Va. : Philadelphia, Pa .; Pal- myra, N. Y .; Pittsburg, Pa .; San Fran-

cisco, Cal., and St. Louis, Mo. A vast amount of business is done in Europe, and the company's European office is in Ger- many. The office of the export depart- ment is at No. 136 Liberty Street, N. Y. The product of this company reaches all the markets of the civilized world.

Mr. Holt has spent the whole of his ac- tive life at Mckeesport and Ellwood City, and is proprietor of the Library Inn in the latter, a name given in recognition of his fine library of 2,500 volumes. He is a member of the M. & M. Club, Knights of Esenic, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. Politically, he is a Republican.

MATTHEW HUNTER, one of Scott Township's successful farmers, was born in Pine Township, Mercer County, Penn- sylvania, June 5, 1860, and is a son of James and a grandson of William Hunter.

William Hunter married Susan Young in Ireland and after the birth of six of their eight children, they emigrated to America. For one year the family lived in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and then came to Lawrence County, and William Hunter bought the present farm of 100 acres, which then lay in the woods. This land he cleared and partially improved, and con- tinued to live on it until the end of his life. He was a man of many sterling virtues. He was identified with the Democratic party.

James Hunter, father of Matthew, was born in Ireland in 1823. He lived on the present farm until 1857, when he moved to Mercer County and bought a farm in Pine Township, which continued to he his home until his death at the age of sixty- six years. He married Nancy Wilkin, who was born in Scott Township and was reared and educated at Harlansburg. Her people came from Westmoreland County to Lawrence County prior to her birth. Five children were born to this union, three sons and two daughters, two of the family being born in Scott Township and

RESIDENCE OF BENJAMIN GRAHAM, NEW WILMINGTON.

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three in Mercer County. James Hunter was a Democrat in politics, and was a member of the Grange.

Matthew Hunter was reared and attend- ed school in Mercer County, and remained on his father's farm until 1881, when he came to the present farm. Here he car- ries on general farming and stock raising. In politics he is a Democrat.

FRANK MOESCHBERGER, the effi- cient manager of the plant of the New Bedford Creamery Company, which was established at New Bedford in 1895, is an experienced man in this line of work. He was born in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, September 7, 1868, and is a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Buhlman) Moeschberger.

The parents of Mr. Moeschberger lived out their lives in Switzerland, and in that country the son grew to manhood, re- ceived a good public school education and learned his trade of butter an cheese maker. He followed the same here until 1891, when he came to America. For a time he lived at Alliance, Ohio, and then came to Pulaski Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where he was man- ager for the Hamilton Creamery Company for two years. When the New Bedford Creamery Company was established he was invited to become its manager, and in fact, it was largely due to his efforts that this prosperous industry was founded. Its product is a high grade of fancy butter, and its present output taxes the capacity of the plant.

Mr. Moeschberger was married to Eliz- abeth Zryd, who was born in the same can- ton as her husband, in Switzerland, and they have three children: Fritz, Frank and Ina. Mr. and Mrs. Moeschberger be- long to the Methodist Episcopal Church, at New Bedford, Pa. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, at Youngstown, Ohio, and of the Home Guards of America, at Lowellville. Mr. Moeschberger is a pub- lic-spirited citizen and intelligent man. In

politics he is a Democrat, and belongs to the Democratic County Committee from Pulaski Township. In his specialty as a butter maker he is known all through this section, and his approval of a grade of but- ter or cheese is taken as a final test when comparisons are made.

J. A. GAILEY, proprietor of the Fibre Plaster Company, at New Castle, an in- dustry he founded and which is for the purpose of manufacturing a fine article of wall plaster, has his business conveniently located at No. 161 Grove Street. Mr. Gailey was born in North Beaver Town- ship, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.

Robert Gailey, father of J. A. Gailey, was once a leading citizen of Lawrence County, prominent in public councils and in business affairs. He was one of the first sheriffs of Lawrence County.

J. A. Gailey has been a resident of New Castle for many years. One of his earlier business enterprises was as a dealer in cigars and tobacco and later he went into the shoe business, in the same room, on Pittsburg Street, where he continued for twenty-one years. For a few more years he was engaged, in connection with his brother, R. C. Gailey, in a lumber busi- ness, but lost the plant by fire, and fol- lowing this business reverse, he estab- lished the Gailey Fibre Plaster Company, being associated with his brother, R. C. Gailey.

In 1883 Mr. Gailey was married to Dora Brandon, a native of Lawrence County, and they have two daughters: Bessie S. and Helen D. Mr. and Mrs. Gailey are members of the First Presbyterian Church at New Castle. He is an enthusiastic auto- mobilist and belongs to the Lawrence County Automobile club.

BENJAMIN GRAHAM, a highly re- spected retired farmer residing at New Wilmington, to which place he moved in 1902, purchasing then the old Moore farm, which he subsequently sold to Westminster

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College, was born January 16, 1835, in Venango County, Pennsylvania. He is the adopted son of Thomas and Eliza (Mc- Nair) Berry.

Thomas Berry was the first county su- perintendent of schools in Lawrence Coun- ty and was also a man of large estate in Butler and later in Lawrence County.

Benjamin Graham attended school at Butler and during his early years his edu- cation was advanced by Mr. Berry. After the latter moved to Lawrence County, Ben- jamin was given charge of Mr. Berry's farming interests and resided in the vicin- ity of New Castle for fifty years. Mr. Graham inherited the Berry estate.

In 1855 Mr. Graham was married first, to Rachel McCaslin, who was a daughter of John McCaslin. She was ac- cidentally killed on the New Castle Fair Grounds, in 1877, Mr. Graham at that time being one of the vice-presidents of the Agricultural Association, and both himself and wife taking an active part in making its meeting a success. The following chil- dren were born to this marriage: Thomas B., Lida Ellen, Elizabeth, William H. and Anna Margaret. Thomas B. Graham mar- ried Maggie Edwards, and they have three children, namely: William, who married Edna Britton, and has one child, Mar- garet; Edward, and Herbert. Lida Ellen Graham married Frank Geiger. Elizabeth Graham married C. Swick and they have six children -- Benjamin, Charles, Ray, Ra- chel, Vest and Clifford. Charles is mar- ried and has one child, Mary. William H. Graham married Elizabeth Lutton. Anna M. Graham married Robert Baird and they have three children-Wayne, Charles and Thomas.

Mr. Graham was married, secondly, Au- gust 11, 1879, to Miss Carrie E. Palmer, a highly cultivated and educated young lady who had been engaged in teach- ing for a number of years previ- ously, at the time of her marriage being principal of the Mahoningtown schools. She is a daughter of Samuel and

Mary Palmer, natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have had six children, namely: Benjamin George, Caroline Em- ma, Kathryn, Frank Palmer, Paul Delbert and Harriet L. Benjamin George Graham graduated with honors from Westminster College and is an M. A. He is principal of the High School at Greensburg, Penn- sylvania. He married Belma Burrows, of Washington, Pennsylvania, who was also a teacher and a lady of many accomplish- ments. Caroline Emma Graham passed from the New Castle High School to Grove City College, where she took the normal course and is a successful teacher in the public schools of New Castle. Kathryn Graham married Rev. H. T. Hazlett, who is a graduate of the Allegheny Theological Seminary and is now stationed in Illinois, having an important charge. Frank Pal- mer Graham is a member of the Gor- don corps of engineers of the Topograpical service, at Yonkers, N. Y. Paul Delbert Graham is a student in his sophomore year at Westminster College. Harriet L. is a student in the New Wilmington schools. This family is a representative one of the cultured, intellectual class of New Wil- mington society. Mr. and Mrs. Graham belong to the Second United Presbyterian Church. A Republican in politics, Mr. Graham has voted with this party ever since he cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont.

JAMES ROBINSON, residing on his well improved farm of seventy-five acres, which is situated in Hickory Township, on the south side of Moffet Road, about one and one-half miles west of Eastbrook, is one of the substantial citizens and repre- sentative farmers of this section. He was born February 17, 1863, and is a son of James and Sarah (Arthur) Robinson. They never left their native County An- trim, Ireland.

James Robinson attended the Rocovan school in County Antrim, and remained in his native land until 1886, when he crossed

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the Atlantic Ocean, landing at New York June 7th, and coming directly to New Cas- tle. He engaged in farm work and pros- pered, and in 1905 he purchased his pres- ent valuable farm. He carries on a gen- eral agricultural line here, growing hay and grain and raising some good stock. His surroundings indicate thrift and plen- ty, and his comfortable two-story residence is but one of a number of substantial farm buildings.

On April 5, 1886, Mr. Robinson was mar- ried to Nancy Miller, who is a daughter of the late James and Genie (Logan) Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have the following children, a bright and attractive family : Mary J., James A., David, John, Sadie and Eliza. Mr. Robinson does not bother much about politics, but he always aims to be a good citizen. He is an honest, up- right man and enjoys the kind fellowship of the neighborhood.

LUTHER A. BLACK, who owns a farm of fifty acres in Slippery Rock Township, located about seven miles southeast of New Castle, is engaged in general farming and is one of the substantial citizens of that community. He was born on the old Black homestead, about one-half mile from his present residence, is a son of Joseph and Lavina (Houk) Black, and a grand- son of Alexander Black.

Alexander Black was born in Ireland, and at an early date emigrated to America, settling in Allegheny County, Pennsyl- vania, where he engaged in farming dur- ing the remainder of his life. Joseph Black was born in Allegheny County, and after arriving at maturity, moved to Law- rence County, locating on what has since been known as the old Black homestead, in Slippery Rock Township. He was united in marriage with Lavina Houk, a daughter of David Houk, who lived near the present home of L. A. Black. Mr. Black died in 1890, and his widow two years later, the old home place being now occupied by two

daughters, Mrs. Nancy Hogue and Louisa. Thirteen children were born to bless their union, six of whom are living, namely: Nancy (Hogue), Narcissa, Lou- isa, Firzah (Flack), Luther A. and Ida M. (Carr). Those deceased were: David H., Joseph K., Margaret, Celeste J., Calvin LeRoy, Esli L. and Mary.

Luther A. Black received his early edu- cation in the Rural Hill school, and con- tinued at work on the home place until 1879, at which time he was married. For three years he resided near the Lawrence Furnace, but in 1882 moved to his present place, there erecting the fine buildings which now adorn the property. He fol- lows general farming according to the most approved methods, and has met with much success.

Mr. Black was joined in marriage with Matilda Dindinger, a daughter of Jacob Dindinger, of Wampum, and they became parents of seven children, namely: Rob- ert, who married Myrtle Shaffer, a daugh- ter of James Shaffer, has two children; Lawrence and Raymond; Samuel M., mar- ried Adda White, a daughter of Samuel White; Lavina is the wife of Terry Hoov- er, son of James Hoover; Ira; Esli; Clar- ence and Agnes. Politically, Mr. Black is a Republican. In religious attachment he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which his family also belongs.

J. J. GRIFFITHS, one of New Castle's representative business men, has been en- gaged in the staple and fancy grocery trade in this city at No. 203 West Grant Street for the past twenty-three years. Mr. Grif- fiths was born at New Castle, Pa., June 28, 1854, and is a son of William Griffiths.

William Griffiths was born at Cincin- nati, Ohio, and came to New Castle in 1846, taking a position first as puddler in a mill of which he later became superintend- ent, where he remained until he retired from business activity. At the age of eighty-four years he still survives, enjoy-

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ing the comforts of his pleasant home in Wood Street, New Castle. In his politi- cal views he is a Republican.

After leaving school, J. J. Griffiths went to work in the sheet and plate mills at New Castle, and continued there for twen- ty years. In 1885 he embarked in the gro- cery business at his present location, and his store is one of the landmarks in that section.

In 1876 he was married (first) to Miss Adella Coppis, of Allegheny, Pa., who died in 1895, leaving four children, namely : Ida May, who is the wife of Alexander Lawson, of New York City; Clyde Nelson, who is an electrician connected with the steel mills in this city; Gertrude, who is the wife of Clifford Morrison, of McKees- port; and Clara A., who is the wife of Harry Remly, of New Castle. In 1901 Mr. Griffiths was married (second) to Lydia M. Okeson, of Mercer County, Pennsylvania.

In politics Mr. Griffiths is a Republican, but his activity is confined to the perform- ance of his full duty as a good citizen. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Junior Order of American Mechanics, and of the Retail Grocers' Association.

LEWIS MARBURGER, senior member of the firm of Marburger & Twentier, pro- prietors of the Central Hotel, at Ellwood City, which is one of the finest and most elaborately furnished hostelries in this section, is one of the city's successful self- made men. He was born in Forward Town- ship, Butler County, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1863, and is a son of Henry and Mar- garet (Burr) Marburger.

Mr. Marburger comes from German an- cestry on both sides. His father, Henry Marburger, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and was seventeen years when he accompanied his father, George Mar- burger, to America. The latter settled in Butler County, Pennsylvania, where he survived until the unusual age of 103 years. His longevity was remarkable, but no less so was his strength and activity,

and when 101 years old he still cut his own timber and busied himself in manu- facturing splint baskets. He had two sons and one daughter, namely : Henry, George, who has reached his ninety-sixth year, re- sides on his father's old home place; and Barbara, who died in 1906, aged eighty- seven years. She was twice married.

The late Henry Marburger acquired a farm in Forward Township, and followed farming all his life. He died July 12, 1907, his age being ninety-two years, nine months and nineteen days. He married Margaret Burr, who was born in Germany, near the French line, and was brought to America by her parents in her childhood. They settled also in Butler County. She died July 4, 1878, at the age of forty-eight years. They had a family of five sons and six daughters, namely: Caroline, mar- ried James Cooper, a carpenter and farm- er, and they live in Forward Township, Butler County; Catherine, married George Young, and they live on a farm in For- ward Township; Charlotta, married Henry Freshcom, a farmer of Jackson Township, Butler County; Phillip, married Emma Kauffman, and they live on a farm in For- ward Township; Henry, married a Miss Winters, and they live at Titusville; Chris- tian, married Nellie Georing, and is a farmer in Jackson Township; Susan, un- married, resides with her sister, Mrs. Freshcom; George, a farmer in Forward Township, married Vina Richardson; Lewis, of Ellwood City; and Mary, unmar- ried, resides with her sister, Mrs. Young.

Lewis Marburger enjoyed no school ad- vantages after he was twelve years old, and on March 22, 1876, he left home and has been entirely dependent on his own re- sources ever since. Active, industrious, pleasant of manner and obliging and will- ing in disposition, he found employment, and was never idle. In 1902 he went to work in a restaurant, and there, through close attention to all the details, he learned much that has proved valuable since he has been in business for himself. On May

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18, 1896, he opened a confectionery store, which he conducted for one year and seven months, and then embarked in the restau- rant business at Ellwood City, where he continued at one location for five years. In a number of his enterprises he has been associated with Mr. Twentier, and in April, 1905, they built the Central Hotel, at Nos. 708-710 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City, and furnished the same with an ex- penditure of over $30,000. The house en- joys a large patronage from exclusive peo- ple.

Mr. Marburger is unmarried. He was reared in the Lutheran Church. In his po- litical views he is a moderate Democrat.

GEORGE EGNER HENNON, a leading business man and citizen of Wayne Town- ship, Lawrence County, Ohio, has lived in the town of Chewton all his life. He was born June 20, 1854, is a son of Socrates and Rachel (Miller) Hennon, and a grand- son of George and Annie (Moore) Hennon, who were pioneer settlers in this town- ship.

George Hennon, the grandfather, came to Lawrence County at a very early period and located on the farm on which his son, Socrates, was born. His children were: Socrates, John, James, William, George, Joseph, Ellen, who became the wife of William Cotterson, and Rebecca, who was the wife of John Reed.

Socrates Hennon was born in Wayne Township, on the farm settled by his fath- er, and there grew to maturity. He learned the trade of a blacksmith in his younger days, and after his marriage, in 1852 or 1853, moved to Chewton, where he first con- ducted a shop on the hill. He later started a shop where George E. is now located and continued there throughout the re- mainder of his life, dying in 1876. He was first joined in marriage with Rachel Miller, who was born on the old Egner farm in Wayne Township, and was a daughter of Montgomery and Lydia (Eg- ner) Miller. She was one of the follow-

ing children born to her parents: Sarah, wife of Charles Roth; Elizabeth, wife of Alvi Warner; Mary, wife of Thomas Whet- son ; Ellen, wife of Nathaniel Lindsay ; An- nie, wife of Joseph Thompson; Jane, wife of Thomas Morrow, and Rachel. Socrates and Rachel Hennon became parents of the following children: George Egner, whose name heads this sketch; Casius M., a painter residing at Beaver Falls, married Amanda Lindsay; William died at the age of twenty-four years; Annie married West- ley McMillen, and died in Wayne Town- ship; Frank died in boyhood, and Eleanor, who died at Allegheny, Pa., was the wife of Ulyses Simpson, of Enon Valley.

George E. Hennon was reared in Chew- ton and attended the public schools there. When eighteen years of age he began learn- ing the trade of a blacksmith, which he has followed successfully throughout his active career. He has been a hard worker and the success he has attained has been solely through his efforts. He is at the present in partnership with his son; they make horseshoeing a specialty, and also carry a line of vehicles, handling the Halk- er buggies, manufactured at Crestline, and Kramer wagons. They enjoy a liberal patronage of the people throughout this vi- cinity.

Mr. Hennon was united in marriage in July, 1879, to Miss Fannie Kerr, who was born in Indiana, and was a daughter of Isaac Kerr, who was born at East Brook, Lawrence County, Pa. They became par- ents of one son, Socrates, born in April, 1883, who married Stella May MeDaniel, a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Mc- Daniel, by whom he has a daughter, Rebec- ca, born July 4, 1906. He and his son are members of Wampum Lodge No. 865, I. O. O. F., while the latter also is a member of Wampum Lodge No. 440, K. of P. Re- ligiously, they are members of the Chris- tian Church at Chewton. Mr. Hennon is a Democrat in politics. He and O. P. Cun- ningham enjoy the distinction of being the oldest native born residents of Chewton,

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and he well remembers conditions in the early days, prior to the advent of a rail- road. He recalls seeing the soldiers on the way to the war in 1861, going down in canal boats. His parents both died in the house where Mr. Hennon has resided for more than thirty-two years.

THOMAS W. BAIRD, a prominent citi- zen of Mahoning Township, serving as a member of the School Board and in the office of roadmaster, settled on his present farm of sixty acres, in the fall of 1899. He was born in Washington County, Penn- sylvania, August 30, 1858, and is a son of Thomas and Martha J. (Wilson) Baird. The Bairds are people of high stand- ing in Washington County, where they were pioneers. The parents of Thomas W. Baird continued to live there continuously after their marriage, and there the father died in February, 1888. The mother has reached her seventieth year and lives in Washington County.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 85

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co. Number of Pages: 1058

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1058